The mediating role of perceived social support in the relationship between perceived stigma and depression among individuals diagnosed with substance use disorders

Accessible Summary What is known on the subject? Individuals diagnosed with substance use disorders may perceive stigma and suffer from mental health problems. Perceived stigma is related to poor mental health among individuals diagnosed with substance use disorders. The social support deterioration deterrence model proposes that stressors (e.g. perceived stigma) negatively affect mental health via reduced perceived social support. To the best of the present authors' knowledge, the model has never been tested in the context of perceived stigma among individuals diagnosed with substance use disorders. What the paper adds to existing knowledge? The paper used structural equation modelling to show that the social support deterioration deterrence model could explain the relationship between perceived stigma and depression among individuals diagnosed with substance use disorders. Perceived support from family and perceived support from friends are mediators in the association between perceived stigma and depression among individuals diagnosed with substance use disorders. What are the implications for practice? Psychosocial interventions to increase perceived support from family and friends would be helpful in addressing perceived stigma effects on mental health. Introduction Although the relationship between perceived stigma and mental health outcomes is documented in the existing literature, very few studies have investigated the mechanism linking perceived stigma and mental health outcomes among individuals diagnosed with substance use disorders. To the best of the present authors' knowledge, the social support deterioration deterrence model has never been tested in the context of perceived stigma among individuals diagnosed with substance use disorders. Aim/Question Guided by the social support deterioration deterrence model, the present study investigated the mediating role of perceived support from three types of social network members (i.e. significant others, family members, and friends) in the association between perceived stigma and depression in individuals diagnosed with substance use disorders. Method The study employed a cross-sectional survey design comprising 300 participants diagnosed with substance use disorders in Taiwan. Results Results of a structural equation modelling analysis indicated that perceived stigma was significantly associated with depression. The relationship between perceived stigma and depression was partially mediated by perceived family support and perceived friend support. Discussion Consistent with the prediction of the social support deterioration deterrence model, the negative effect of perceived stigma on depression for individuals diagnosed with substance use disorders is through the mediating effect of social support. Implications for practices Based on the present study's results, psychosocial interventions to increase perceived support from family and friends would be helpful in addressing negative effects of perceived stigma on mental health among individuals diagnosed with substance use disorders.